Ospreys have returned to both of the camera-equipped nest sites in Boulder County, and wildlife officials expect that they will be laying eggs in a few weeks.

At the city of Boulder's nest near Valmont Reservoir, the resident male arrived on March 25.

"As soon as he got back, he started setting up the nest, getting new sticks and greenery to make it nice and soft," said Boulder wildlife resource coordinator Ryan Prioreschi, who added that the resident female then arrived on Wednesday.

"She sort of took a look at the nest and started doing the same thing, gathering sticks," Prioreschi said. "They actually were mating (on Wednesday). They immediately get right down to business."

As for the nest near the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, Boulder County web administrator Nik Brockman said that the resident male arrived at the nest on March 22. While some visiting ospreys stopped by, Brockman said that the resident female ultimately came back on Wednesday to reclaim her spot.

That is not unusual, as past years have seen other female ospreys create awkward situations before leaving to find less crowded nests.

"The volunteers who monitor the nest say it is typical for some ospreys to be looking around for a nest," Brockman said.

"The volunteers who monitor the nest say it is typical for some ospreys to be looking around for a nest," Boulder County web administrator Nik Brockman said. (Matthew Jonas / Staff Photographer)

Brockman also noted that the county installed a new infrared light on the osprey camera a few weeks ago, which will allow people to better observe the ospreys even in the dark.

Officials said that the ospreys will likely lay eggs in the next few weeks.

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